Magic and Medicine from the Ozarks

Day 111: Louisiana Creole Plant Names

I’m currently working on translating a giant document of Louisiana Creole folk remedies, and so I thought I would share some common plants that I’ve come across so far. There will be more to come, I’m sure, as I’m only half way through the document.

Chasparèy, sasparèl: Sarsaparilla, Smilax ornata. Also referred to as sarsepareille which is referenced as Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry. ex. Pou move son ye te bouyi trwa ou kat laliyonn chasparey pi ye te bwa sa. For anemia, they used to boil three or four sarsaparilla vines and drink that.

Chougra, chou gras: Pokeweed, poke berry, Phytolacca americana. Not to be confused with the “chou gras” of French Canadian origin which is “lamb’s quarters” Chenopodium album. ex. En chougra sa sanm lameriz. Sa gen de grap e se mèm koulèr ke lameriz. Pokeberry looks like wild cherries. It has clusters of berries and the same color as wild cherries.

Rave, raven, ravè: Cockroach, Blattodea. ex. En lòt kichò ye te kònen sèrvi si to te ge en bobo ki te e abouti pou vini myeu, ye te me en rave on sa. Another thing they used if you had a sore that was coming to a head and healing, they would put a cockroach on it.